Note: I made up the names of the Ancestors. Also, my headcannon is that the Dolorosa (or Pallum) was pretty young when she found the sufferer. Young as in her teens or pre-teens.
Light, small feet padded along the cave floor. The caves are pitch-black. A tall figure steps into a moonlit area.
Pallum Maryam, or Dolorosa as her elders called her, paused, panting lightly. It was a little cold this sweep and her breath fogged before her as her robes rustled about her.
After a moment or two in the light, she darted back into the darkness, her sure-footed steps heading down one of the few tunnels that led to the lusii and grub section of the caverns. This area was dangerous, since only lusii were sure-footed enough to make it down without any difficulties.
But Pallum prided herself in being much, much steadier on her feet than her elders or others that lived in the Surface Caves. Either way, though, she didn't worry about the lusii down here. After all, the Mother Grub had blessed her with a gift that allowed her to commune with them.
Plus, nothing would stop her from visiting those precious grubs. Not even the curfew that the elders had placed on everyone would stop her. In fact, she was currently violating said curfew to just sing and play with the young grubs that haven't formed cocoons.
A scalebeast lusus chirred at her as she brushed past. Petting its head gently, she greeted the few she could feel.
Greetings, lusii. It is I, Dolorosa.
Few lusii were telepathic, so many of those present greeted her with soft beast sounds. Because of her closeness to the Mother Grub, those with telepathic capabilities called her by her title.
She loosened her cloak as she slid past a giant clawbeast lusus who was sleeping under his pupating troll. She enjoyed how it got warmer the deeper she went into Alternia.
Finally, she arrived in the Grub Caverns. This was where un-lusii-ed and un-tried grubs came and socialized before leaving and taking their trial solely on instinct. She shed her cloak and laid it onto the floor.
Kneeling down onto it, she sighed with relief. She was safe now. Jadebloods who reinforced the curfew couldn't patrol this far without being ripped to shreds by over-protective lusii.
Multiple legs dug into her knee and the soft clicks and whistles of grubs drew her attention to the floor before her.
Smiling, she reached down and picked up the young oliveblood that stood before her. Cooing softly, she cradled the infant gently. Other grubs soon scrambled over, either eager to see her once again or curious as to whom this stranger was.
Putting the female grub down, the five-sweep-old spread her arms and began to sing softly to her audience.
~000~
She slunk back up the tunnel, her light-feet quietly padding along the floor.
As much as she'd like to stay a little longer with the children, she had to get back to the Surface Caves before dawn. She paused in a pool of light twilight, glancing back at the way she came from. She sighed, hanging her head and closing her eyes.
It was such a shame most grubs, once they pupated and became young trolls, couldn't recall anything from their grubhood. She'd be long forgotten by the time she reached her twelfth sweep. That fact in and of itself often made her very sad.
Suddenly, tiny legs hooked weakly onto her robes. A shrill shriek rang out and something tugged on her robes.
Her eyes snapped open and she looked down, slender ears perked. A bright red grub held onto her, staring at her meekly and pitifully. His solid red eyes tugged at her heartstrings as she leaned down and scooped him up.
Cradling him with both her arms, she shooshed him soothingly. He blinked her, exhausted and bruised with a shallow cut on his forehead. Then he turned over and snuggled up to her, clutching her clothes with his multiple legs. Within moments, he was sleeping soundly.
She blinked at him, and then frowned thoughtfully. He was a mutant, unlikely to survive as no lusii had yet been born that felt pity for his blood type. Even if he did some how manage to reach adulthood, only prejudice and suffering awaited him in the outside world.
The sound of shoes tapped down the hall ahead of her. The young girl's head snapped up and she clutched the babe tighter.
If the elders learned of him, he'd be killed. She was already growing attached to the redblood, and she couldn't let that happen to him. Not to mention how much trouble she'd be in afterwards.
Seeing no other opinion, the young troll spun about and rushed down the tunnel she had come from.
~000~
She knew where she was heading, and yet was hesitant to go there. Coming to the Grub Caverns, she pacified any curious lusii by saying she needed to be alone. They quickly backed off and let her enter, keeping a generous and respectful distance.
The grubs clicked curiously as she swept through. The oliveblood from before followed her out of the Caverns. The jadeblooded girl halted at the exit and placed the sleeping grub down. Glancing around in irrational fear, she crouched down and pulled out a bag that was filled with books, clothes, cloth and sewing material that she kept down here for her visits with the Mother Grub, whose chambers were just down the tunnel.
When she turned around, she found the oliveblood licking the mutant grub's head. She blinked at the female grub, and then smiled, softly and sadly. The small female seemed to be flushing for the snoozing infant.
"I'm sorry, honey, but we can't stay." She mumbled to the infant as she scooped up the sleeping male.
As she turned and hurried down the hall, the olive-colored grub began to cry. Her sorrowful sounds rang through the tunnel, sad, lonely and confused.
She felt a pang of guilt and sorrow as she plodded down the corridor. She'd never forget that sound.
~000~
Pallum, my child.
She halted at the entrance, letting the motherly voice of her lusus wash over her as she caught her breath.
Come in, come in! I feel you have someone with you, dearest.
Pallum did as instructed, smiling warmly at the Mother Grub, who lay curled up in the center of the heated cavern. She was most likely taking a short rest before going on to give birth to the next generation of trolls.
"Hello, mother." The girl greeted, stopping before the giant, beautiful head of the lusus.
How are you, my child? What do you need so earnestly?
She hesitated, and then reluctantly revealed the child. "I am well, mother, but I have come here seeking advice on this infant…"
Oh my…The Mother Grub lifted her head and looked from grub to troll. Dearest, you know you should have killed him on sight.
"I-I know, Mother Grub, b-but I just couldn't." Pallum stammered, staring down at the sleeping babe in her arms. He was so peaceful and so cute. Not to mention innocent. How could she so heartlessly kill such a thing?
I know, child of mine. I can feel your attachment to him like that of you and I. A claw gently settles on her shoulder. So, I will advise you to take an alternative.
"What alternative?" She asked, looking up and holding the grub closer. "Please, mother, I will take any advice you have to offer."
I know, honey. A sigh ran through the young troll's mind. You are just so young…Nevertheless, you must flee the Caverns. Take what you are carrying. I will give you the memory of a route Virgin Grub's must take to carry their trolls to the surface.
"L-leave?" She stammered, eyes widening fearfully. "Mother, there must be another way!"
No, Dolly, there is not. The claw reached up and caressed her cheek, using her pet name to sooth her. But you must be strong for the grub and banish yourself from this place.
She blinked slowly, then reached out one arm and hugged the face before her. "I-I will go. B-but I will miss you, Mama…" She hiccupped, tears starting to form in her eyes.
A memory slipped into the back of her mind as the Mother Grub cooed softly inside her head. And I shall miss you too, little rose. But know that you will be a mother unto this babe and you shall make me proud.
"O-of course I will, Mommy." She mumbled.
Good, now go. And may your ancestors shine down upon you. The lusus pulled away and dragged her large self into a nearby birthing chamber.
Pallum watched her go in silence, tears coursing down her face. Finally, pulling a veil over her head, she summoned the memory and hurried off, cradling the grub.
~000~
The Mother Grub listened to her child leave. She thrummed sorrowfully as she felt the link between her daughter and herself snap.
Hanging her head, tears ran down her skull-shaped face.
Forgive me, daughter. She whispered, knowing that none but her own self heard. Forgive me for setting you on this path of heart-break, death and sorrow. But this is the way things must be.
Her thrumming turned into painfully high-pitched clicking as she mourned her loss.
For she knew she'd never see her precious baby girl again.